As we travel on this path the blessing of God will come upon us and reconstruct us into the image of Jesus Christ. Then, you will notice a rather burning sensation in your will, realizing with horror that it is pulling an about-face. He could feel the last dregs of the misery of humankind flow through him and into the care of the Father. Grace, of course, is both the beginning and the sustaining of spiritual growth, but growth is growth toward something. Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind.

The thoughts in there were so out of line with my own way of praying that I didn't even attend that session for fear that I would flip my shit completely; I'm sure that study was improved by my absence. With an original music score by composer Stefano Mainetti (Abba Pater), feature-film quality sound effects, and compelling narration by Michael York and the work of over 500 actors, the The Word of Promise Audio Bible will immerse listeners in the dramatic reality of the scriptures as never before. Three keys to simplicity are: 1) treat all as a gift from God, 2) ask all to be cared for by God, and 3) make all available to others (p. You may find yourself nonchalantly reading through his pages, nodding your head, perhaps underlining here and there, your legs stretched across your couch on a lazy afternoon.

Why has the giving of money, for example, been unquestionably recognized as an element in Christian devotion and fasting so disputed? The outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service help prepare us to make the world a better place. Foster breaks it down into a chapter for each discipline, defining the discipline, sometimes re-defining it, connecting it to Scripture, giving application, and talking about the finer points.

The fact that this book is one of the top ten most influential books for Americans identifying as Christians over the last 50 or so years is severely troubling. Because we lack a divine Center our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things. Although I am not able to meet many of the principles and suggested techniques in the book, I think it does a wonderful job of advocating that a religious life should have many more facets and attributes than simply prayer, attending a service, and reading scripture. Rather, Foster quotes the contemplative monk, Thomas Merton, as stating that we are all “beginners” all of our lives (p.I have discovered that the most difficult problem is not finding time but convincing myself that this is important enough to set aside the time” (p70). Fortunately, this is a very practical introduction to these disciplines that recognizes that one doesn’t simply become an expert practitioner or spiritual giant overnight. Profane or cruel comments will be deleted, as well as spam and other comments that I feel should be deleted. It's a road map toward true transformation that starts not with the individual, but with the person at the journey's end - Jesus Christ. Getting away from the pressures and busyness of our lives is one of the healing benefits of solitude; this can lead to increased sensitivity and compassion for others.